Method and System of Displaying Technical Information on a Gaming System

ABSTRACT

A gaming system is operable by a player to play a game. The gaming system comprises a first display, and storage arranged to store technical information related to operation of at least part of the gaming system. The first display is arranged to show at least a portion of the technical information.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/045,059 having a filing date of Apr. 15, 2008, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Casinos and gaming venues often have gaming machines. These gamingmachines require set-up, configuration, maintenance and repair.Technical information used by a technician to conduct these tasks istypically carried in a paper manual. If the same technician has to workon many different machines then this may require carrying many differenttechnical manuals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided agaming system operable by a player to play a game, the gaming systemcomprising a first display, and storage arranged to store technicalinformation related to operation of at least part of the gaming system,wherein the first display is arranged to show a at least a portion ofthe technical information.

In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises an input device forselection of a portion of the technical information to show on the firstdisplay.

In an embodiment the technical information comprises one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   set-up information;    -   settings information;    -   maintenance information;    -   fault diagnosis information;    -   repair information; and    -   parts information.

In an embodiment the technical information is one or both of:

-   -   textual information; and    -   non-textual information.

In an embodiment the input device is arranged to receive an entry of anidentifier of a part and the gaming system further comprises an orderingdevice which causes a part to be ordered based on the entry.

In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises a communicatorarranged to send a part order message to a receiving device of a storesdepartment.

In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises a communicatorarranged to send a part related message to an electronic address.

In an embodiment the first display is separate to a second display usedto display a game on the gaming system.

In an embodiment the first display is configured to show otherinformation.

In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises a displaycontroller for controlling the first display to show the at least apotion of the technical information.

In an embodiment the gaming system further comprises an informationretriever configured to retrieve the portion of the technicalinformation based on the section received by the input device.

In an embodiment the gaming system comprises a stand-alone gamingmachine which includes the first display.

In an embodiment the gaming system comprises a networked gaming machinewhich includes the first display.

In an embodiment the gaming system is operable in a game play mode or ina service mode in which the at least a portion of the technicalinformation is displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided agaming system comprising a first display, a display controller and aninformation retriever for retrieving stored technical informationrelated to the gaming machine, wherein the retriever is arranged toretrieve at least a portion of the stored technical information and thedisplay controller is arranged to cause the first display to show theretrieved technical information.

In an embodiment the gaming system comprises an input for selecting theportion of the technical information for display.

In an embodiment the gaming system is a stand alone gaming machine.

In an embodiment the display controller comprises a processor.

In an embodiment the processor is controlled by a computer programcomprising instructions for controlling the operation of the gamingmachine.

In an embodiment the stored information is stored on a local storagedevice.

In an embodiment the stored information is stored on a remote storagedevice which is accessed over a network.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of displaying technical information related to operation of atleast a part of a gaming machine operable by a player to play a game,the method comprising:

-   -   storing technical information related to operation of at least        part of the gaming machine;    -   retrieving at least a portion of the information; and    -   displaying the retrieved information at the gaming machine.

In an embodiment the method comprises receiving a selection of a portionof the information at the gaming machine to display.

In an embodiment the technical information comprises one or more of thefollowing:

-   -   set-up information;    -   settings information;    -   maintenance information;    -   fault diagnosis information;    -   repair information; and    -   parts information.

In an embodiment the technical information is one or both of:

-   -   textual information; and    -   non-textual information.

In an embodiment the method comprises receiving an entry of anidentifier of a part; and ordering the part based on the enteredidentifier.

In an embodiment the method comprises sending a part order message to areceiving device of a stores department.

In an embodiment the method comprises sending a message related to apart of the gaming machine to an electronic address.

In an embodiment the technical information is displayed on a firstdisplay of the gaming machine and a game is displayed on a seconddisplay of the gaming machine.

In an embodiment the method comprises displaying other information onthe first display.

In an embodiment the method comprises retrieving the at least a portionof the technical information based on the received section.

In an embodiment the method comprises operating the gaming machine in aservice mode.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedlogic embodied in a processor readable form which when executed controlsthe processor to perform a method of displaying technical informationrelated to operation of at least a part of a gaming machine operable bya player to play a game, the method comprising:

-   -   storing technical information related to operation of at least        part of the gaming machine;    -   retrieving at least a portion of the information; and    -   displaying the retrieved information at the gaming machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming machine inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the gamingmachine in a gaming mode of operation;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming machine inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the gamingmachine in a service mode of operation;

FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming machine inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention with thegaming machine in a service mode of operation;

FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming machine inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention with thegaming machine in a service mode of operation;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of operative components of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention with the gaming systemimplemented over a network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention provides for a gaming system operable bya player to play a game, the gaming system comprising a first display,and storage arranged to store technical information related to a gamingmachine. The first display is arranged to show at least a portion of thetechnical information retrieved from the storage. Typically the firstdisplay shows the portion of the technical information under the controlof a display controller based on a user selecting the portion of thetechnical information.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a gaming system arranged toimplement a game, such as a probabilistic wagering game wherein a playerwagers a bet amount and a prize is allocated to the player depending ona game result.

For example, the game implemented by the gaming system operates suchthat a player places a bet on a game outcome and will be awarded a prizeaccording to the result of the game and in some embodiments according tothe amount wagered. The gaming system comprises at least one gamingmachine.

A stand alone gaming machine 40 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The gamingmachine 40 includes a console 42 having a display 44. The gaming machineis operable is a gaming mode, where one or more games can be played onthe gaming machine 40; and in a service mode, where an authorizedperson, such as a technician can install, set-up, service, repair,maintain etc the gaming machine (hereafter referred to as service). Inthe gaming mode of operation the gaming machine is configured so thatthe display shows representations of a game 46 that can be played by aplayer.

A mid-trim 50 of the gaming machine 40 houses a bank of buttons 52 forenabling a player to interact with the gaming machine during game play,including enabling the player to select the bet amount and to provideother inputs. The mid-trim 50 also houses a credit input mechanism 54which in this example includes a coin acceptor 54A and a bill collector54B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, acard reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. Areading device may also be provided for the purpose of reading a playertracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. The playertracking device may be in the form of a card having a machine readableelement or any other portable storage medium capable of being read bythe reading device.

A top box 56 may carry artwork 58, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 59 of the console 42. A coin tray 60 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 59 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 30.

The display 44 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly acathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display 44 may be aliquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video displayunit. The top box 56 may also include a display, for example a videodisplay unit, which may be of the same type as the display 44, or of adifferent type.

In the gaming mode of operation, the display 44 in this example isarranged to display video representations of the selected game outcomeof randomly selected and displayed game symbols under the control of agame controller. The outcome is often formatted as a three-by-five arrayof symbols corresponding to a game having five reels with three symbolpositions for each.

The stand alone machine 40 may be networked to a slot accounting serveror to a jackpot controller for purposes of contributing to a progressivejackpot total and for reporting game results.

In the service mode of operation, the display 44 in this example isarranged to display video representations of technical information 66,under the control of a display controller, for view by a technician orother personnel when servicing the gaming machine 40, as illustrated byway of example in FIG. 2. The technical information may be for exampleone or more of the following: set-up information; settings information;maintenance information; fault diagnosis information; repairinformation; or parts information. The technical information may betextual information or non-textual information or a combination of both.In the example in FIG. 2, the information 66 is text information about apart of the gaming machine and an illustration of the part.

The gaming machine 40 can enter the service mode by for example openinga (typically locked) service panel which triggers a switch, by manuallyactivating a switch inside the service panel, by connection of a servicedevice or by other means. The gaming machine 40 can return to the gamingmode of operation by a corresponding action, for example, such asclosing the service panel, deactivating the switch or by other means.

Referring to FIG. 2A, an alternative embodiment of the gaming machine40′ is shown. In this embodiment the top box 56 carries a display 70,which is designated the first display. In this embodiment, the display44 is designated the second display as it is used to display gaminginformation exclusively. For an electro-mechanical stepper machine, thesecond display 44 may be a glass for viewing a plurality ofelectro-mechanical reels. Alternatively the second display 44 may be avideo display unit.

In the gaming mode of operation the first display 70 may be used to showadvertising, game or prize related information or other information.When the gaming machine 40′ is in the service mode of operation, thefirst display 70 shows technical information 72. In this example theinformation 72 is settings for DIP switches (down, down, up, up, down,down, up, up). This allows the service technician to set-up the gamingmachine according to the set-up requirements and the technicalinformation 72. Using the first display 70 allows the second display 44to continue to show the game 46.

Referring to FIG. 2B, an alternative example of technical information 76is shown on the first display 70. This technical information is anexploded view of a XY bracket of the gaming machine 40 in which each ofthe parts of the XY bracket are displayed along with the correspondingpart numbers (11214, 13142, 12345, and 14546). This can be useful toshow how to assemble/disassemble a part or in ordering replacementparts.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine 100 which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine40 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 2B.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 inaccordance with the present invention are stored in a memory 103 whichis in data communication with the processor 102. The processor 102 mayalso be configured to operate as a display controller for controllingthe displays 44 and 70, by way of logic comprising instructions. Theprocessor 102 may also be configured to operate as an informationretriever for retrieving the selected information from the storage byway of logic comprising instructions. The instructions may be in theform of firmware or software. In an alternative the display controlleror the information retriever may be implemented by another suitablyconfigured processor.

Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile andnon-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with suchmemories being collectively represented by the memory 103. The memory103 may be configured to comprise the storage of the technicalinformation and/or instructions for controlling the processor 102 tooperate as the display controller or the information retriever.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere, and data indicative of symbols, prize amounts andsymbol functions used in the game. In one embodiment the mass storagedevice 103C stores the technical information.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with a playerinterface 120 of the gaming machine 100, the player interface 120 havingseveral peripheral devices. The input/output interface 105 and/or theperipheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory forstoring associated instructions and data for use with the input/outputinterface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module113 generates random numbers for use by the processor 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the peripheral devices that communicatewith the game controller 101 comprise one or more displays 106, a touchscreen display and/or bank of buttons 107, a card and/or ticket reader108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin acceptor 110 and a coindispensing mechanism 111. The displays 106 may include the displays 44and 70. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gamingmachine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specificimplementation. The touch screen/buttons may be used as an input deviceby a technician when then gaming machine is in a service mode ofoperation. Alternatively or in addition other input devices by be used,such as a keyboard or mouse, which are only accessible or connectable byauthorized personnel. For example the keyboard/mouse may only beconnectable via a port inside the locked service port of the console 42.The input device may be arranged to provide a user selection of aportion of the technical information to the information retriever sothat the relevant portion can be retrieved from the storage. Theretrieved information is then provided to the display controller forshowing the portion of the technical information to the use on thedisplay 40 or 70.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card 112 may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central slot accounting system server or database andreceive data or commands from the slot accounting system server ordatabase. The network card may also communicate with a jackpotcontroller of the type which allocates a percentage of the wagers fromthe linked gaming machines to one or more progressive jackpot pools,monitors play for jackpot winning outcomes and controls meters anddisplays associated with the progressive jackpot. In an embodiment thenetwork card 112 communicates with a remote storage device which storesthe technical information.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 may be provided remotely from the gamecontroller 101.

The gaming system may include a network, which for example may be anEthernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this example, banks of two gamingmachines 100 are connected to the network. The game system includesconnection to the slot accounting system and jackpot controller foraccumulating jackpot totals.

In an embodiment, the gaming machine 100 corresponds to the gamingmachine 40, in particular the displays 106 correspond to display 44 andthe memory 103 stores the technical information. In one example thetechnical information is stored in the mass storage device 103C.

In an embodiment, the gaming machine 100 corresponds to the gamingmachine 40′, in particular the displays 106 correspond to the displays44 and 70.

The technician may use the player interface 120 to select which parts ofthe technical information to show on the display. The I/O 105 mayadditionally be connected to a technician interface, which may be usedfor the same purpose.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network, a LAN or a WAN. In this example,three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 are connected to the network201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and maybe the same as the gaming machines 40,100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, or mayhave simplified functionality depending on the requirements forimplementing game play. While banks 203 of two gaming machines areillustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gaming machines arealso envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Thedisplays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines such as large overhead displays over the gamingmachines 202 or displays in the top box 56 or game display 46 or aseparate display such as provided with player tracking modules such asthe Sentinel III module offered by Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. Thedisplays 204 may be used to display representations associated with gameplay on the gaming machines 202, and/or used to display otherrepresentations, for example promotional or informational material. Oneor more of the displays 204 may also be used to as the first display toshow technical information to a technician working on one or more of thegaming machines 202 in one or more of the banks 203.

In a thick client embodiment, a game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 implements part of the game including the random selectionof the outcomes. With this embodiment, as both the game server 205 andthe gaming machine 202 implement part of the game, they collectivelyprovide a game controller. Furthermore in this embodiment the gameserver 205 may store the technical information, so that the game server205 and the gaming machine 202 co-operate the display the technicalinformation. A database management server 206 may manage storage of gameprograms and associated data and technical information for downloadingor access by the gaming machines 202 in a database 206A.

Service personnel, such as a technician can readily access technicalinformation on the gaming machine 40, 40′, 100 or 202 by use of thepresent invention. The gaming machine will enter a service mode when forexample the technician opens a locked service panel. Opening of theservice panel activates a switch which sends a signal to the I/O 105,which in turn causes the processor 102 to enter the service mode. In theservice mode display 44 or display 70 can show a menu that allows thetechnician to select a portion of the available technical information toshow on the display 44/70.

If a part requires replacement, a menu item may be provided that, uponactivation, automatically prepares and sends a part request message to aservice department, such as via email. Other means of sending the partrequest message to an electronic address can also be used. Such a partrequest message can automatically comprise a designation of the gamingmachine. As an alternative, a message can be send indicating that aparticular part has been installed by the technician for inventorymanagement/auditing purposes.

The present invention provides a convenient system and method ofdisplaying technical information.

Modifications and variations as be apparent to a skilled addressee aredeemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

1. A gaming system operable by a player to play a game, the gamingsystem comprising a first display, and storage arranged to storetechnical information related to operation of at least part of thegaming system, wherein the first display is arranged to show at least aportion of the technical information.
 2. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the gaming system further comprises an input device forselection of a portion of the technical information to show on the firstdisplay.
 3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the technicalinformation comprises one or more of the following: set-up information;settings information; maintenance information; fault diagnosisinformation; repair information; and parts information.
 4. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 1, wherein the technical information is oneor both of: textual information; and non-textual information.
 5. Agaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the input device isarranged to receive an entry of an identifier of a part and the gamingsystem further comprises an ordering device which causes a part to beordered based on the entry.
 6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the gaming system further comprises a communicator arranged tosend a part order message to a receiving device of a stores department.7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming systemfurther comprises a communicator arranged to send a part related messageto an electronic address.
 8. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the first display is separate to a second display used todisplay a game on the gaming system.
 9. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 8, wherein the first display is configured to show otherinformation.
 10. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a display controller for controlling the first display toshow the at least a potion of the technical information.
 11. A gamingsystem as claimed in claim 2, further comprising an informationretriever configured to retrieve the portion of the technicalinformation based on the section received by the input device.
 12. Agaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming system comprisesa stand-alone gaming machine which includes the first display.
 13. Agaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming system comprisesa networked gaming machine which includes the first display.
 14. Agaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gaming system isoperable in a game play mode or in a service mode in which the at leasta portion of the technical information is displayed.
 15. A gaming systemcomprising a first display, a display controller and an informationretriever for retrieving stored technical information related to thegaming machine, wherein the retriever is arranged to retrieve at least aportion of the stored technical information and the display controlleris arranged to cause the first display to show the retrieved technicalinformation.
 16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15, furthercomprising an input for selecting the portion of the technicalinformation for display.
 17. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15,wherein the gaming system is a stand alone gaming machine.
 18. A gamingmachine as claimed in claim 15, wherein the display controller comprisesa processor.
 19. A gaming machine as claimed in claim 15, wherein theprocessor is controlled by a computer program comprising instructionsfor controlling the operation of the gaming machine.
 20. A gaming systemas claimed in claim 15, wherein the stored information is stored on alocal storage device.
 21. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15,wherein the stored information is stored on a remote storage devicewhich is accessed over a network.
 22. A method of displaying technicalinformation related to operation of at least a part of a gaming machineoperable by a player to play a game, the method comprising: storingtechnical information related to operation of at least part of thegaming machine; retrieving at least a portion of the information; anddisplaying the retrieved information at the gaming machine.
 23. A methodas claim in claim 22, comprising receiving a selection of a portion ofthe information at the gaming machine to display.
 24. A method asclaimed in claim 23, wherein the technical information comprises one ormore of the following: set-up information; settings information;maintenance information; fault diagnosis information; repairinformation; and parts information.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 22,wherein the technical information is one or both of: textualinformation; and non-textual information.
 26. A method as claimed inclaim 22, further comprising receiving an entry of an identifier of apart; and ordering the part based on the entered identifier.
 27. Amethod as claimed in claim 22, further comprising sending a part ordermessage to a receiving device of a stores department.
 28. A method asclaimed in claim 22, further comprising sending a message related to apart of the gaming machine to an electronic address.
 29. A method asclaimed in claim 22, wherein the technical information is displayed on afirst display of the gaming machine and a game is displayed on a seconddisplay of the gaming machine.
 30. A method as claimed in claim 29,comprising displaying other information on the first display.
 31. Amethod as claimed in claim 23, comprising retrieving the at least aportion of the technical information based on the received section. 32.A method as claimed in claim 22, comprising operating the gaming machinein a service mode.
 33. Logic embodied in a processor readable form whichwhen executed controls the processor to perform a method of displayingtechnical information related to operation of at least a part of agaming machine operable by a player to play a game, the methodcomprising: storing technical information related to operation of atleast part of the gaming machine; retrieving at least a portion of theinformation; and displaying the retrieved information at the gamingmachine.